Forever Young: Blessing or Curse (Always Young Trilogy) (24 page)

“Don’t
feel bad, Roman. You can only do so much. After all, you’re not God.”

He
gave a short laugh. “No, I’ve never claimed to be. Well then, enough talking.
We’ve got work to accomplish.”

“That
we do.”

Dorrie’s
heart lifted as she got up and went back to her desk.

She
was so jubilant, she couldn’t help sharing the news with Kelly at lunch.
“Promise you won’t say a word of this to anyone, especially, Roman, but I’ve
got to tell you what happened.”

 “My
lips are sealed.”

She
filled her friend in on the whole fiasco of finding the dictation on Larry’s
iPhone and being so upset she’d copied it onto her laptop computer.

When
Dorrie had finished, Kelly said, “I can see how you’d have been worried, and
I’m  glad it worked out right. That’s got to be a relief for you.”

“It
sure is. I’d have felt horrible telling people the Forever Young pill was safe
if it weren’t.”

Her
friend nodded in agreement. “Good thing you don’t have to, and good thing
Roman’s the trustworthy sort.”

“True,
he may not be the best of fathers, but he’s not all that bad.”

After
she’d returned to her desk, with a sudden burst of vigor she tackled the rest
of her dictation. Unfortunately, despite her lightened spirits, before long her
energy began to lag. She’d crash when she got home.

As
soon as she’d eaten dinner, she stumbled upstairs and got ready for bed. Before
falling asleep, her last thoughts were how sad it was that Larry hadn’t lived
to rejoice in the discovery of the improved formula.

***

On
Thursday after work, Dorrie found a romance to watch on TV, and didn’t bother
turning on her computer. By Friday evening she felt guilty. She absolutely must
go online and pay her bills, if nothing else. After debating about bringing the
laptop into the family room to work on it while watching TV, she decided the
kitchen desk would be more conducive for concentration.

The
Windows logo flashed on, followed by an array of gibberish. What was that all
about? She’d only flipped the switch, and hadn’t touched any other keys. Could
it be an uncompleted program update from when she’d last logged off?  

“You
will not get the better of me,” she told the computer, as she firmly pressed
and held the on/off switch to manually turn off the computer. It took a while
for the screen to fade. Finally, with something like a sigh, it all shut down.

“Please
work, please work,” she prayed, waiting for the system to restart. When it did,
more gibberish greeted her.

Okay,
this was war. She pulled out her anti-virus DVD and slipped it into the slot.
The program started and she chose the scan option. After an hour, the software
indicated the type of virus. She grabbed the phone to call technical support.
The IT guys would know what to do.

When
she described what had flashed onto the screen and the name attributed to the
virus, the man groaned. “Damn, sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but your
machine is fried. That bug spreads like dandelions, invading the root and
hidden files. I don’t dare try a remote or I’d get it too.”

“That’s
maniacal. Why are people so mean?”

“Don’t
know. Maybe it’s a power trip.”

“So,
nothing can be done?”

“Computers
are pretty cheap these days. My advice is to get a new one, unless you’d rather
install a new hard drive and operating system.

“I
don’t know what to do. This computer is almost brand new. Well, thanks,
anyway.” 

Well,
that was that. She didn’t know how, but somehow she’d accidentally clicked a
bad link. Larry had warned her about viruses and Trojans. He’d been smart not
to network his computer to hers.

This
was frustrating to the extreme. It had taken a while to get her new computer up
and running exactly how she’d wanted it. She hadn’t even had a chance to enjoy
it much, since she’d been too busy paying bills and transferring Larry’s notes.
The kicker was viruses weren’t even covered in the computer’s warranty. And
what if she got a new hard drive and operating system, then clicked the bad
link and the same thing happened again?  The nightmare could go on
forever.  

With
a sigh, she decided to wait before making any purchases. In the meantime, she’d
pay her bills the old fashioned way. Good thing she had a smartphone to check
her emails.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Saturday
evening, Dorrie called Jeanne. “Before you say anything, I’ve got something to
tell you.” She filled her friend in on what Roman had said.

Jeanne
sighed. “I don’t mean to be a killjoy, but did it occur to you, the man may be
lying to save his skin?”

“There’s
no way he could know what I found on the iPhone. He volunteered the
information, and I believe him.”

“I
don’t know. Maybe you’re more gullible than I am. I still don’t trust him.”

“I
guess we’ll have to agree to disagree. By the way, other stuff’s been happening.”

After
Dorrie filled her friend in on the ailing computer, Jeanne gave a short laugh.
“To paraphrase a saying—Computers, you can’t live with ‘em or without ‘em.”

“Too
true. It’s heaven when they work, and hell when they don’t. “

“You
know, it’s kind of strange about your computer going on the fritz after your
copying binge and the revelations about the new formula. It’s almost as if your
boss could see what you were doing.”

“Impossible.
My computer doesn’t even have one of those built-in cameras. “

“He
could have installed cameras in your house before you moved in, or even while
you were at work.”

“You
do have a wild imagination, Jeanne.”

“Maybe
so. Comes from watching too many spy flicks.”

“I
must admit you do have a talent for guessing the bad guy before a movie ends.”

“That
I do. The only one better is Steve. By the way, I still bump into him
occasionally and he always asks how you’re doing. You know, he’s never gotten
over losing you.”

“He’s
a great guy. I probably would have married him, if not for Larry.”

“Yes,
you and Larry were the perfect match. I still can’t believe we’ve lost him.”

 Dorrie
sighed. “Sometimes it seems our marriage was a dream. I’ve got a new life, but
I wish I could get back the old one.”

“We’ve
both had our tragedies, that’s for sure.  I’m still bummed about Dad’s
passing. I miss him like hell, though I admit it was no picnic being at his
beck and call.”

“I
know what you mean.”

“Of
course you do. By the way, how are you feeling? You’ve got to be pretty far along.”

“That
I am. Less than seven weeks to go. From what I gather from my doctor, and all
the magazines and books I’ve scoured on the subject, I’m proceeding normally,
with the usual pregnancy issues, like swollen feet, being tired a lot, and
feeling like I’m carrying a bowling ball in my stomach. Still, it’ll be worth
it. I’m looking forward to motherhood.”

“At
one time I’d wanted kids, but that was before I found that scum Jerry doing the
dirty deed with that low life, Lorraine, in the middle of our marital bed.”

“And
you’ve not tied the knot since. It’s a shame, since you’ve got so much to offer
some lucky man.”

“Once
burned is enough. If I were tempted, which I’m not, a drive to the hardware
store where he pretends to work would cure me. I only go there in extreme
necessity, like when I can’t find what I need anywhere else. It’s nauseating
watching him make time with every female who walks in the door.”

“Lorraine
divorced him, too, didn’t she?”

“Yeah,
that tramp. I don’t know who was worse, her or him. You were lucky to find
Larry. He was a great guy, like part of my family. I miss him.”

“Larry
always liked you too,” Dorrie said, feeling her throat choke up.

***

That
evening, Dorrie couldn’t help thinking about her conversation with Jeanne, and
how life had taken a rotten turn for both of them. Jeanne had always been
strong and sure of herself. It wouldn’t hurt to adopt some of that attitude.

She
didn’t know what to make of Jeanne’s speculation about cameras in the house.
Such over-the-edge thinking was so unlike her levelheaded friend there may be
some validity to it.

The
thought of someone watching her every move and listening to her every word gave
Dorrie the willies, yet it could explain the uneasy feeling she’d had since the
break-in. The more she thought about it, the more it seemed plausible. The
virus infecting her computer so soon after the break-in lent more credence to
the notion. What better way to erase damaging evidence?

As
she cumbersomely undressed, she glanced around the bedroom. She didn’t see
anything resembling a surveillance camera, but she was no expert on such
matters.

If
Jeanne were correct and Roman had watched her copy data from the iPhone to the
computer, what else could he see? Were cameras hidden not only here in her bedroom,
but maybe, God forbid, in the bathrooms? Thinking of such an invasion of
privacy sent goose bumps up and down her arms.

Tossing
and turning, she knew she’d find no peace until Jeanne’s speculations were
proven wrong. Doing so wouldn’t be easy. Given her present condition she
couldn’t exactly climb onto ladders and search ceilings or other nooks and
crannies.

Sunday
morning she came up with a possible, but embarrassing solution.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Feeling
like an idiot, Dorrie stepped outside into the backyard to dial Kelly from the
cell phone. “I know you’ll think I’m completely certifiable, and I don’t blame
you, but could I ask a huge favor?”

She
explained what she wanted and why. Her request was met by silence. She cleared
her throat. “What do you think? Will he do it?”

Her
friend gave a short laugh. “Really, Dorrie, are you kidding? What you’re
suggesting is such a stretch. Roman’s Institute has to be aboveboard. Think
about it. If there was something wrong with the pill, wouldn’t you have health
issues yourself?”

“Maybe
not. My thyroid condition could be protecting me, and only people with normal
readings are at danger.”

“I
don’t know if any drug is perfect. That’s why manufacturers post warnings. Take
aspirin, for example. Some people are allergic to it and don’t find out until
it’s too late. Still, that doesn’t mean it should be pulled off the market.”

“Please,
Kelly, I know it sounds silly, and maybe I’m overreacting because of all these
pregnancy hormones running rampant, but I’d still feel better if Doug came
over. I know his time is precious, and I’d pay him for his efforts.”

Her
friend sighed. “Okay, I’ll ask him, but I know he can’t do it right away. He’s
on double duty and barely has time to sleep. Oh, and forget about paying.
 He’d never accept money from a friend.”

“Thanks
so much. Whenever he can come, I’d appreciate it. I know it’s probably nothing,
but I’d feel a lot safer if he told me I have nothing to worry about. And
thanks, Kelly.”

Well,
she’d done her best, and didn’t blame Kelly for doubting her. Roman had no need
to go to such lengths. The pill had to be safe, and Jeanne had to be wrong. The
alternative was too scary.

That
night, again, Dorrie couldn’t sleep. The baby kept moving, as if it were also
restless. The fact it was active had to be a good sign, yet she longed to see
and hold her baby to make sure everything was all right.

Monday
morning, as if nothing were unusual, she drove to the Institute. For the time
being, she’d ignore the notions popping through her mind and pretend all was
normal.

Easier
said than done. After typing a few paragraphs, she stopped and pressed her
fingers against her throbbing forehead.

“Is
everything all right?” 

She
almost jumped at the sound of Roman’s voice. She hadn’t heard him coming. It
was as if he’d crept up on her.

“Oh,
yes. I’m a little tired, that’s all.” 

She
glanced sideways at him. He seemed to be looking at her strangely, as if he
were unsure about something. Was Jeanne right?

Another
thought struck her. If her home was bugged, maybe he’d overheard the
conversation she’d had with Jeanne on the landline. She usually used her cell
for long distance, but had been too tired to go to the other room to dig it out
of her purse.  

Dorrie
told her racing heart to calm down. Roman couldn’t be her enemy. Still, she
averted her eyes from him, so he wouldn’t notice the wariness which might give
her away. This paranoia of Jeanne’s was catching. She could hardly wait for
Doug to come over to clear the issue.

Brazening
it out, she flashed what she hoped was a convincing smile.